Otp Prompt #19: Simon insists that he's okay with Baz's homosexuality. So okay, in fact, that he demands that they go on a double date (Baz with Niall and Simon with Agatha). Of course, Simon is angry when Agatha seems to express interest in Niall... so he decides to flirt with Baz to make her jealous.
"Baz, it's fine," I insist as he rolls his eyes. "I'm fine. I swear- here how's this?" I take a step closer to him while setting up my proposition. "How about we go on a double date so I can show you how okay with it I am. I'm so okay with it." I never thought Baz was gay. I mean, it would explain why he never had a girlfriend (but not how he never had a boyfriend- I would suspect that a fit bloke like him would attract every non-straight guy at Watford), but I just... I suppose I never thought about it before. But trying not to think about it after I found a pride flag in his notebook (he was showering and plotting- I was snooping) was bloody hard.
He raises an eyebrow at me now (he knows I fucking hate it when he does that) before replying. "Snow, you don't have to-"
I cut him off in a rush. "I know! I know I don't have to but I want to. Agatha and I, and you and some bloke." He thinks for a moment. (I didn't think he'd actually consider it).
"I'd have to find a date." He sneers at me. (But a soft sneer, if that makes sense).
"Crowley, I'm sure it won't be hard for you to find one..." I mutter, mostly to myself. He sighs defeatedly, and I know I've won. (Probably because he knows I'd never let up).
...
Agatha isn't happy when I tell her the news. "Baz is what?!" She whispers furiously in the hall I pulled her off to.
"Gay, Agatha. But that's not the point. The point is that we're going on a double date
with him and a bloke this Saturday. Okay?" Her entire face falls, and I can almost hear the words that are probably pinging around in her head. 'If Baz is gay, I don't have a chance,' or 'Maybe I can convert him.' But that's not how it works. Because 1. She has a boyfriend, 2. Baz is our enemy, and 3. You can't just convert someone. That's not how it works, even if Agatha is the most beautiful girl at Watford. (If converting was possible, I'm sure Baz'd probably convert about half of the Watford boys).
She thinks for a moment before saying, "I thought you hated Baz..."
"I do," The response is almost like an immediate reaction. Like I don't even think about the answer before responding. It's like the way it's supposed to be- always has been. It's a sure thing; like night and day. You can always count on the sun to come back up, and the moon to come out later, just as you can count on me hating Baz. "I do, but I just want to show him that I support him."
"Why?" She crinkles her nose and furrows her brow. Why do I want to support Baz? I suppose I don't really bloody know.
"Well because I... well I- I don't really know, Aggie. It just feels like the thing to do." As she nods her head, I smile and squeeze her hand before walking away, mentally preparing myself to see Baz in class when I feel as though I know some sort of big secret that is meant only for my ears. (Even though technically he never formally told me- I had to find out by snooping).
...
Baz looks weirdly handsome in a green suit. Granted, he looks bloody handsome in anything (the tosser), but this green suit looks especially good on him. It fits him just right, snug in the correct places without showing off too much (although I suppose he does have plenty to show off, I'm sure). His hair (usually slicked back) is falling in waves around his face, framing his sharp jawline and cheekbones. (It makes his eyes look bluer; his hair, that is). He made reservations at an Italian restaurant off campus (we got special permission from The Mage to go), so everyone is dressed up kind of fancy. I felt like a blundering git when I had to ask Baz to borrow a suit. He had a grey one that fit me just fine.
Getting ready together is kind of weird- especially since we're going out together in a little bit. Well not together together. Just... to the same place. Usually when we get ready in the morning, we go to the same place but we leave at different times. Now, we're wordlessly moving around each other, getting ready separately to go to the same place at the same time. Every now and then I'll look over at Baz and he'll say 'Stop staring, Snow,' so I'll look away and blush. (I can't help but blush. Not because I'm embarrassed or anything, but because it's my body's knee jerk reaction).
I decide to break the awkward silence as we're finishing getting ready and putting our shoes on. "So... who are you going with?" He looks at me curiously but then just sneers.
"Niall," He says it simply, but when seeing my eyes pop out of my head, he clarifies. "We're not together, you bloody halfwit. Although he's bi, he's not my type." He lets out a short laugh and I can't help but wonder who actually is his type. Probably someone posh and rich and perfectly controlled.
"So then why not go with someone you like?" I inquire. He looks at me for a moment, thinking. (Maybe plotting).
"I am a collectible that very few can acquire, Snow," He scoffs and stands, looking at me expectantly. "Ready?" I nod and get up to open the door for him. He simply rolls his eyes and says (voice heavy with sarcasm), "How chivalrous." I just roll my eyes and close the door behind us.
...
Agatha is still not in a good mood. She wasn't in a good mood on the way to the restaurant (although she smiled when I told her how pretty she looked), and she's not in a good mood now, sitting at our table and waiting to order. (Sidenote: I don't like Baz and Niall together. Niall makes Baz laugh, and when Baz took his hand, Niall blushed and smiled. They probably plot my demise with each other). There's a certain tension in the air, which I suppose is to be expected when you're having dinner with your enemy.
"So, um, Agatha. How's your... family?" Niall asks politely. She smiles at him a little and lets my hand go from under the table, starting to talk animatedly with him. Baz and I stay silent as they laugh together, but I catch Baz smiling at Niall ever so slightly as he talks. My heart twists in my chest (I can't believe Agatha is flirting with Baz's date- I suppose now that she knows Baz is gay, she needs to find some other bloke to flirt with) (Part of me is relieved). She is so obviously flirting with him that it's just painful to watch.
When we finally get to ordering, Agatha is still smiling brightly with Niall, and when the server leaves, they go right back to talking. If she wants to flirt with someone's date while she's here with me... I suppose two can play that game. I turn my full attention to Baz and prepare myself for snarky remarks and sneers. "So Baz. What's your... favorite violin song to play?" He looks at me like he thinks I'm joking, so I give him a look to tell him that I'm serious.
He (hesitantly) says, "'The Last Rose of Summer I suppose..." He smiles like he's trying not to. He likes talking about this, but he doesn't trust me not to make fun of him. He can trust me.
"Which is...?" I let out a little laugh with him as he goes on.
"It's a beautiful song that took me years to learn, and..." He continues on, a spark in his eye that shows that he's passionate about this. It's odd to admit it, but it's slightly endearing to hear him talk about something he loves like we're friends. (If this is what it would be like to be friends... maybe I wouldn't mind so much).
When he's done talking, he goes back to closed off, but all I want to do is get him talking again. "Crowley, what's your favorite song to listen to on the violin?" It's probably just my imagination, but I think I see a little pink rise to his cheeks. Just enough to make me think I see it, but not enough for me to be sure if it's real or just my imagination.
"Er, it's um..." He stumbles over his words more than usual, which is weird. "It's called Bite. By Troye Sivan." I can feel myself lean slightly back in shock. I've heard that song before (by a gay artist- Baz is more homosexual than I ever thought) and it's wonderful. I couldn't help but hum it for weeks after the first time I had heard it. It's funny to me that that's his favorite song to hear on the violin.
"I love that song!" I exclaim, Agatha and Niall's conversation barely even registering in my brain anymore.
For a second- just a second, I see Baz's hard exterior soften as he says, "You do?" I nod my head vigorously. It seems like he's about to say more, but our food gets to the table, promptly cutting off all conversation and making Baz go on red alert again. For that split second that he seemed open (I can't help but be proud of the fact that I made him feel that way), he was actually enjoyable, which is odd to admit. For a moment, I didn't want to cut his bloody head off or light him on fire. And he even seemed like he didn't hate me.
The table lapses back into silence for a second as we begin eating, but Agatha quickly goes back to talking with Niall. I should be paying attention to make sure no funny business is going on, but instead I can't take my eyes off of Baz. (And not because I think he's plotting, this time). I just let myself admire the way his eyes crinkle sometimes when he smiles at something Niall says. The way he runs his hands through his hair like he doesn't even know he's doing it, and how he doesn't eat much on his plate, but when he does, he puts his hand over his mouth, embarrassed. (I wonder if he has an eating disorder) (I actually think his fangs pop out when he eats; his cheeks always look fuller when he's around food).
"So Snow, did you get the History of Magicks essay done?" Baz turns his attention to me, and I feel lighter for some reason. Ha, I want to say to Niall. (For reasons I'd rather not think about at the moment).
"I, um-"
"Because if you didn't, like the bloody tosser you are, I suppose I could help you and your small brain," Even though he through in insults, I'm still taken aback by his offer. He would help me with my essay? Voluntarily? Who is this bloke and what has he done with Baz? (I suppose he's had a few glasses of wine- maybe he's slightly buzzed) (can vampires get buzzed?)
"I suppose... yeah, that'd be...er- nice, I suppose." I stumble over my words more than usual (which is very very much) when I'm talking to him. Maybe if he helps me with my essay, we can have more nice moments like this. (I mentally slap myself for wanting more moments like this with my ever-plotting enemy).
He smiles a small smile at me and goes to take another bite of his spaghetti. When I look over, I see Agatha twirling her fucking hair and laughing with Niall like he's the worlds funniest guy. Suddenly I remember what I had wanted to do before; make her jealous. I lean forward in my chair a little towards Baz and smile sweetly at him. (It's a first; a nice first). He just quirks that infernal eyebrow at me as he continues to chew.
"Tell me a joke, Baz." I smile extra brightly at him. I try to add extra sweetness into my voice, which is the polar opposite of the venom usually laced in my tone when I talk to him.
"Okay?" He says it like a question- like he's waiting for me to explain why I'm being weird. (Maybe because I feel kind of fuzzy right now. Maybe because I feel kind of fuzzy whenever I'm around him). "Today at the bank, an old lady told me to check her balance. So I pushed her over." He delivers it hesitantly, but still well enough for me to chuckle out loud. I try to laugh extra hard like Agatha but it comes out as kind of forced, so Baz slightly frowns and looks down.
"That one is actually really funny!" I try to catch his eyes, and when I finally do, I hold his gaze for a few moments. I realize now that out of all the years I've lived with him and all of the times that I've fought with him, I've never really looked him in the eyes. I think I was always scared about what I'd find there. Anger, disgust, disdain- complete and utter repulsion. But looking into his blue-grey eyes, I only see softness. Some hesitance; sadness, maybe. If eyes are the windows to the soul, then Baz's soul is beautiful and soft and full of love. (Can vampires have souls?) (I think they do. Baz certainly does, at least).
When I look into his eyes, it almost seems like the rest of the restaurant fades away. Just turns into black until Baz and I are the only two people left in the room- maybe even the world. But he looks away (back to Niall) and blushes (only just barely) before I get to indulge myself in 'getting lost in his eyes' for much longer. When I look over, I see Agatha playfully putting her hand on Niall's arm across the table, lingering for a second longer than she should have. (If it isn't clear, we are probably going to fight after this dinner).
"Looks like Wellbelove seems to want to swap dates," Baz looks back at me and smiles a bit, adding just a small sneer to it. (It doesn't look menacing- it just kind of looks sweet). I want to tell him that that's okay; switching dates would be perfectly fine with me. (I don't know why I want to tell him that. Or why I feel that way).
Instead, I say, "Yes, I suppose..." And trail off. (He hates it when I do that). He looks at me curiously as I look back to see Agatha's hand on Niall's arm again. I decide to do something stupid.
Before he can say anything, I take his wrist that's laying on the table and lace my fingers through his. He sucks a breath in between his teeth and then lets out a shuddering breath. His hand is cold and calloused in mine, but it's an oddly soothing feeling. I know that this isn't affecting Agatha (she's not even looking), but I can't bring myself to let go. (That is now on my list of things not to think about).
"What are you doing, Snow?" He curls his lip, but doesn't let go- even as I start rubbing soothing circles into the back of his hand.
I just shrug. I know he hates it when I shrug, and now he's pulling his hand away with an eye roll, but I grip harder and stop him. "I don't know... I don't know, Basilton." I don't know. I don't know why I'm flirting with my enemy and holding his hand to make my girlfriend jealous when
She is flirting with someone else
She's not even looking
I am not even gay.
All I really know is that I don't want to let go of his hand. I don't know what that means, or why that is, but I just really want to keep holding on.
All through the rest of dinner, I don't let his hand go. He doesn't make a move to remove it, either. Even as we eat, and as we pay for dinner, his hand stays planted firmly in mine. I know Niall has noticed- but he just looked and smirked. I don't know if Agatha as noticed or not yet- she's too busy flirting with Niall and hanging all over him.
When we get up to leave the restaurant, Baz finally starts pulling away, but I just wind my fingers more around his. He cocks his head at me, but gives in, letting me continue to hold his hand. Why is he letting me do this to him? Why do I want to keep doing it? I must be drunk. (I only had one glass of wine) (maybe drunk on Baz). Agatha is huddled close to Niall because she's cold. (I don't care). Maybe I'm a bad boyfriend. (I don't bloody care much about that, either).
...
The walk back to rooms was uncomfortable and awkward at best. Agatha was dropped off at The Cloisters first. Before going inside, she leant in and gave Niall a long hug, me a quick (and emotionless) peck on the cheek, and Baz a curt nod. (Baz and I didn't stop holding hands- does that make me a bad person?) (No, it doesn't. I don't like Baz. I just like the way his hand feels in mine).
After Agatha was dropped off, the walk to Mummers is quiet and slightly awkward. Baz and I are still holding hands, and Niall walks a few feet away from us. When we drop him off at his room, he nods to both of us and slips in without a word. (I swear I saw him wink at Baz- maybe I'm just tired). Baz and I hesitate for a moment before starting to walk back to our room. (Crowley, I have to share a room with him after tonight). I'm sweating in my (Baz's) suit as we near the door. For some reason, I just don't want Baz to let go, but I know that once we get to our room, he'll probably pull away and spit on me, grilling me about what the fuck was that, Snow?
But when we enter our room and I start walking to my bed, letting go of Baz's hand, I feel a sharp tug at my hand. It pulls my entire arm back and forces me to spin around and stumble forward- right into my roommates' arms. He spins me around (again, I suppose) so that my back is against our door and he's holding my wrists to the door and by my sides. He's so close that I can smell the spaghetti he just had for dinner. Looking into his eyes, I feel my heart flip in a way that it never did with Agatha. Is that possible?
"What in the fuck was with the hand holding and flirting, Snow?" I assume he's trying to sound threatening, but he just sounds breathless. I stutter, looking for an answer.
I... I- I don't know." He gazes down at me, his eyes a soft contrast to the rest of his collected exterior.
"You never know, Simon Snow," I gasp quietly when he says my name. He's so close our noses are touching and I can feel every single place where his cold skin sets my on fire and I want to know the taste of his lips and-
I cut my own thoughts off when I say, "I know one thing."
"And what might that be?"
Deep breath. "I know that I want to kiss you." The words that come out of my mouth surprise both me and him. At first he doesn't say or do anything- just stands there staring at me.
"Well are you going to do something about it then, Snow?" His breath tickles my cheek.
"You called me Simon before." I accuse him. He scoffs.
"I did no such-" I cut him off by pressing my lips to his. Cold. Soft. Wonderful. His eyes come up to cup my face and I grab fistfuks of his hair, tilting his head down to deepen the kiss. I could do this for hours. I feel free. Like that line from Baz's favorite violin song: Kiss me on the mouth and set me free. Well Baz is doing exactly that.
I may not know much; Normal math, elocution, why I don't feel romantic love when I'm with Agatha and why she feels the need to flirt with others right in front of me. But if there is one thing that I am always sure of; one thing I always know...
It's that I love Baz